Three counties and Lines for Life announce Policy Summit for Local Action on Opioids

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Lines for Life, in partnership with Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, will hold a first-of-its-kind local government Summit on Opioids and Addictions on Friday, April 13, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marylhurst University.

The Boards of Commissioners, District Attorneys and Sheriffs from the three Portland metro counties will meet with experts, law enforcement and other elected officials to identify policies to combat the opioid epidemic.

Multnomah County has responded to the opioid crisis with a number of policy changes. They include changing the way opioids are prescribed and distributing the life-saving drug Naloxone to the general public. To date, 2,536 people have been rescued from near death by Naloxone in Multnomah County.

"That moment, between life and death, changes everything," said Chair Deborah Kafoury during her recent State of the County address. "It opens a door to help: people are open ready to enter treatment, to talk to a peer in recovery, to believe their life is worth fighting for. We need to make sure that door is open."

The summit will focus on those policies under the direct control of local elected officials based on the latest data on the opioid epidemic. These include existing local initiatives worth expanding; developing a treatment clearinghouse, a focus on justice and incarceration plus the role of local governments in successful recovery through peer support and housing.

“We have the innovation, the skills, the commitment and the tenacity to end the opioid crisis - right here in the Tri County region,’’ said Dwight Holton, executive director for Lines for Life.

“Elected leaders from the entire region will confront the crisis head-on, together – with bold ideas for change that we can harness to put local governments to work helping families and neighbors put a stop to the pain and havoc caused by opioid addiction.”

Please note that more resources from the summit will be available on this site at a later date.